Any moms here run an in home daycare?

kendra223

This is an idea I've been warming up to. I already work in a mother's day out program, so I have experience, training and I am CPR/First aide certified. I know that I like working with kids.

I have an 18 month old and we are going to be trying for another. So I thought I'd come here to see if there are any moms who run a daycare and what a general day is like..

What hours do you have?

What do you do if one of your LOs gets sick?

How are things set up in your home?

How many kids can you have and what age ranges do you have?

How did you find kids to watch (through friends, posting ads online, etc)?

Any suggestions for someone who is thinking about starting a daycare?

TIA

nikip6454

I don't but my sister does (that is whereE is all day!) and I worked in a center for many years.  My advice may not be all that helpful but here goes!

What hours do you have? 7-5:30ish with kids being staggered (1 drops off around 7:15 picked up at 2:30, E is dropped off at 8:30 picked up at 4:30 and another child varies pick up between 4:30 and 5:30)

What do you do if one of your LOs gets sick? My sister's children are older (8 and 14) so they are to stay either in their bedroom or in the lower level, if it is something serious, daycare is closed.

How are things set up in your home? She uses the living room, kitchen and "dining room" for the kids (well the kids don't play in the kitchen but whatever) and two bedrooms with pack and plays for naptime.

How many kids can you have and what age ranges do you have? Each state is different, my sister isn't licensed so she can only have 3 non-related children.  If she wants more, she would need to get licensed.  She has teaching certifications and an Early Childhood Degree so I don't really care about licensing. 

How did you find kids to watch (through friends, posting ads online, etc)? She used Craigs List in the past but her current kids are my friends' children!

Any suggestions for someone who is thinking about starting a daycare? I would recommend treating it as a proffessional career.  Devote your work day to the daycare and not consider it a hobby.  Make a handbook for parents, follow the handbook, have set policies, etc.  You will find the more professional you are, the better people will treat you.  In the past my sister was very casual with parents and it would bite her (parents using vacation time or switching things on very short notice, not paying holidays, etc.)

 As for when your child is sick, I would put that in your handbook.  You should allow yourself sick days (as well as the families) and like any parent, you will probably use your sick days for your child.  I would follow your health policy for your child that you expect from the other parents. 

 

Lilywildcat

I run an in home daycare, i'll try my best to answer your questions.

kendra223:

This is an idea I've been warming up to. I already work in a mother's day out program, so I have experience, training and I am CPR/First aide certified. I know that I like working with kids.

I have an 18 month old and we are going to be trying for another. So I thought I'd come here to see if there are any moms who run a daycare and what a general day is like..

What hours do you have? 7:30 to 5:30, although a new child is starting next week and he'll be dropped off around 7:15 ish

What do you do if one of your LOs gets sick? It has only happened once that my kids have been sick enough that I had to notify the parents that my kids were sick. I suggested they seek other care and the kids went to grandma's because my son had bronchitis 

How are things set up in your home? My basement is devoted to the daycare. I have a full washroom and laundry room with a changing station. My spare bedroom is for the daycare kids to sleep. I have a playpen and twin bed in there. Right now I just have one toddler and one school aged boy who doesn't nap.

How many kids can you have and what age ranges do you have? In Ontario, an unlicensed home daycare provider cannot have more than 5 children (other than her own) under the age of 10

How did you find kids to watch (through friends, posting ads online, etc)? Most of the children i have cared for have come to me thru people i know (word of mouth). I also advertise by putting up flyers at stores, community mailboxes, playgrounds, etc. I also advertise on a few daycare resource websites.

Any suggestions for someone who is thinking about starting a daycare? I agree with what the previous poster stated. Also, be patient in finding children to care for because they may not come to you right away. When you do start caring for kids, it might take you some time to get used to having kids at your house, establishing routine, rules, etc. Take your time doing all the prep and legwork before you start up. Taking care of kids is tiring (as you already know with an 18 month old:) but taking care of multiple kids is exhausting. There will be good days and miserable days, especially as new children are getting accustomed to the change. You may have criers/screamers, spirited kids and kids who will test the boundaries.  just be very patient. I wish you luck!!!

TIA

kendra223

Thanks to both of you!

If I go this route, I will definetly make a book of guidelines and rules.